Keyboard perforator



Feb. 13, 1940. c. w. BURCKY KEYBOARD PERFORATOR Filed July 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CHARLES W. BURCKY Feb. 13, 1940. c. w. BURCKY KEYBOARD PERFORATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 1, 1937 Y m \l 0. m 3 2 2. mm 5 Q. 8 L W v o c m 9 on H i= 0 M c NM Q i mm z//V///4/ J ill mm g m Y :H B um m I} u S ow N g W 0' Q 3 Q Q o 3 m a S 8 mn mm mm 5 B ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 13, 1940 [TED STATES KEYBOARD PEBFORATOR Charles W. Burcky, Chicago, 111., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application July 1,1937, Serial No. 151,364

35 Claims. (01. 178--80) This invention relates to perforators for telegraphic purposes and more particularly to a keyboard actuated mechanism for the perforation of a signal control strip.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an efficient and easily operable keyboard apparatus for the production of signal control strips.

Another object is to render the key action of such keyboard apparatus smoother and lighter to the touch by minimizing frictional resistances and spring loads common in such devices.

A still further object is to provide in an electromagnetically operated keyboard perforator, means eifective during the operative cycle for preventing chattering of the key controlled operating contacts.

The present invention contemplates for the attainment of the above and other objects of the invention, a keyboard mechanism arranged with a plurality of keys operatively associated with pairs of vertically movable permutation bars through which interponent bars of a perforating mechanism are moved selectively to control the operation of punch pins allotted thereto and to perforate a tape correspondingly.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the armature lever associated with the perforating magnet is designed so that the "hammer surface thereof comprises two intersecting planes and a raised rib for operation of the punch interponent bars, to reduce the frictional resistance or load imposed upon the punch interponent bars by the punch bar retainingroller spring. In accordance with the present invention, the hammer surface is resolved into two planes and a raised rib (the latter cooperating only with the feed-hole punch interponent bar), it is possible to set up the code selection without overcoming any added load from the punch bar retaining-roller spring, and also to provide a horizontal and unresisted slidable movement of the punch selecting bars when the perforating magnet armature is in the operated position.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means for insuring the closure of the contacts in the perforator magnet circuit for a period of time sufiicient to complete the operation oi the perforatorhammer. This improvement comprises an anti-chatter means to insure the positive make and break of the punch magnet contacts which are controlled by the key levers, and thus overcome the chatter of these contacts and the resulting repetition of perforations when a key lever is operated with a relatively slow and light touch. When a key has been depressed, the contact operating lever permits the punch magnet contacts to close under their own spring tension, and as soon as contact has been made, the perforator armature, being attracted, operates a lever which cams orpushes the punch magnet contacts together in the opposite direction against their normal spring tension, independently of the key operated contact operating lever. In this manner, the punch magnet contacts will remain closed as long as the punch magnet is energized. To break the circuit through the punch magnet, the key is released so that the contact operating lever may on its return movement again operate the contact springs. Consequently, the vibration or chattering of the punch magnet contacts is prevented. Under such conditions of operation only one group of perforations appears in the tape for each depression of a key.

When the structure according to the present invention is used in combination with a keyboard transmitter and'is operated simultaneously therewith, the energizing circuit for the perforator magnet is further controlled by contacts associated with the transmitting cam drum. This arrangement is to insure that the same signal that is transmitted over the line is also perforated in the tape, and is achieved by locating two pairs of contacts over the transmitting came, to be operated thereby during each cyclic rotation of the transmitting cam barrel. In this manner, the operation of the perforator is synchronized with the tripping of the transmitter clutch. Specifically, the contacts are positioned over two adjacent transmitting cams, and the contact springs are adapted to ride into the depressions of those cams. The reason for the two pairs of contacts, which are connected in parallel, is to impress a longer impulse on the perforating magnets than would otherwise be obtained with a single pair of contacts. and when the transmitting cam distributor is operated, the circuit for the perforator magnet is invariably closed once during each code signal period. The contacts controlled by one of the cams close in advance of the contacts controlled by the adjacent cam, and do not open until after the contacts controlled by the latter cam are closed, thus providing an overlap in the sequential operation of the contacts.

A better understanding of the invention may be had from the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

The contacts are normally open,.

movable permutation bar 28.

Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of the keyboard mechanism according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of a perforator in operated position;

Fig, 4 is a fragmentary side view of the perforator mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig.6 is a schematic electrical diagram of the perforator magnet operating circuits. and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of adjusting means for the return spring of the perforator contact operating lever.

The keyboard mechanism according to the present invention is of the type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,965,572, granted July 10, 1934, to C. W. Burcky et al., and reference may be had to said patent for a complete understanding of details not shown herein.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters are used to designate similar parts throughout the several figures, there is shown in Fig. 1 a keyboard H comprising a base casting l2. Positioned to the rear of the base casting l2 and suitably journaled thereto is a pivot rod l3 which extends transversely of the casting. To the pivot rod l3 a plurality of key levers are rotatably mounted which are normally biased by individual springs (not shown) and which are provided, as is the usual practice, at their forward ends with'keys l5 arranged in banks.

Beneath the key levers l4, and extending transversely thereof, are a plurality of pairs of permutation bars I 6 which forms a part of a selector mechanism of the type fully disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,884,753, to which reference may be had for a more complete understanding of. the details thereof. The structure disclosed in the drawings is provided for operation on a 5-unit code, and consequently a corresponding number of pairs of permutation bars l8 are employed. However, a larger or a smaller number of pairs of bars l6 for a corresponding code may be used. Each pair of permutation bars l6 (Fig. 2) comprises a bar I! and a bar l8, and these bars are all provided at each end with vertical slots or notches l9 and 2! respectively, which fit over guide combs 22 and 23, mounted on rods 24, 25. The bars I! and I8 are thus held against longitudinal movement, but are free to be shifted vertically in response to the operation of key levers.

l4 about pivot rod l3.

Pivotally mounted on rods 24 and 25 are pairs of rock arms 28, 21 interposed between each pair of code bars I1 and I8. The rock arms 26 and 21 are substantially T-shaped, with their free ends formed with off-set lugs on opposite sides of the pivot rods 24 and '25 and spaced some distance therefrom, one of the lugs of each rock arm projects forwardly into a notch on the lower edge of the corresponding permutation bar l1, and its other lug projects rearwardly beneath the companion permutation bar l8. With this arrangement, the depression of eitherpermutation bar of the pair of bars l6 rocks the arms 26 and 21 and lifts the companion permutation bar. To the depending portion of the T-shaped rock arms 26 and 21 is pivotallyarticulated a longitudinally Thus, when the permutation bars I! and I 8 are moved vertically in accordance with thedepression of a key lever 14, the permutation bar 28 individual to a pair of the permutation bars I! and I8 is moved longitudinally, or in the direction of its length.

Each of the key levers I4 is arranged, when operated, to engage and depress one of the permutation bars of each pair of permutation bars I 6 and to set these permutation bars in accordance with a character code combination. To achieve this object, the upper edges of the permutation bars I! and I8 are notched to provide high and low portions in accordance with the respective codes. Also, the bars of each pair of permutation bars are complementary; that is, the notches of one bar are opposite the projections of its companion bar. The interconnection between the bars of each pair of bars 5 by means of the rock arms 26 and 21 prevents the simultaneous depression of two key levers. If an attempt is made to operate more than one key lever, the key levers can only be depressed for a-short distance, when they will be blocked by the high portions of the permutation bars. By such construction, the simultaneous depression of two key levers and the transmission of an incorrect signal is prevented.

The perforator disclosed in Fig. 2 comprises a set of code punches 29 movable through an opening in upper and lower guide plates 3| and 32 and cooperative with a die plate 33 to perforate a tape 34. The plates 3| and. 33 are spaced apart to form a tape guide. Intermediate the guide plates 3| and'32 is a stripper plate 35 which cooperates with shoulders on the code punches 29 and feed-hole punch pin 30 (Fig. 5), and clue to the action of springs 36 operates to remove the punches clear of the tape following the operation of a punch hammer. The code punches 28 are selectively operated by an actuating member or hammer 31 and a set of punch interponent bars 38 corresponding in number to the punches 29. Operatively associated with each' of the bars 38 is a pivoted arm 39 which is connected to the permutation bar 28 by meansof a link 4|. The interponent bar 48 for the feed-hole punch pin 30 is immovable and is fixed at its right-hand end (Fig. 1) to an arm 40 secured to the perforator frame 50.

The hammer 31 rocks about its pivot 42 and forms the armature of an electromagnet 43. According to the present invention, the hammer 37 comprises a comb portion 44 for guiding the interponent members 38 and 48. The hammer surface of portion 44 comprises two intersecting planes 45 and 46 and a raised rib 41 on one of said planes. The code punch interponent bars 38 are adapted to slideon the plane surfaces 45 and 46, while the feed-hole punch interponent bar 48 which is pivotally fixed cooperates with the raised rib 41. Thus at all times the upper surface of the feed punch interponent member 48 is higher than the corresponding upper surfaces of interponent bars 38. The function of the two intersecting planes and the raised rib is to compensate for the rocking motion of the punch actuator to maintain substantially the same relation between interponents 38 and 48 in both the clockwise and counterclockwise positions of the actuator 31. Arranged above interponent bars 38 and 48 is a retaining member 49 which is normally spring actuated by a coil spring 5| (Figs. 1 and 4) to'bear against the upper surface af the feed-punch interponent bar 48. Due to the fact that interponent bar 48 is always slightly higher than interponent bars 38, the latter bars are free to be shifted rightwardly and leftwardly in response to the movement of permutation bars 26 through links M and arms 39 without influence of spring 5|.

When the perforating magnet is unenergized, the hammer 31 is retained in its counterclockwise position'against an adjustable stop 52 by a spring 53, as shown in Fig, 2. However, upon energization of magnet 43 to perform a perforating operation, hammer 3'! is rocked to its clockwise position against a stop 54 in opposition to the spring 53, and in this position (Fig. 3), the plane surface 46 is disposed substantially horizontal, and if an interponent bar 38 is positioned underneath a punch 29, said punch will be operated to effect the perforation of the tape. However, due to the raised rib 41, the fixed interponent bar 48 for the feed-hole punch has been elevated to a higher plane than the interponent bars 38, so that the retaining member 49 still acts under the influence of its spring 5| solely upon punch interponent member 46, thus preventing any spring pressure on interponent bars 38, thus permitting the latter to be moved freely in accordance with the operation of the next key. It is this free and complete movement of successively depressed keys that constitutes an important feature of the invention. With this arrangement, a key action having a follow through is obtained; that is, the operation of the punch operating magnet at any time during the downward movement of the key will not prevent the completion of said downward movement. Were it not for this freedom of movement, the operation of the perforator, while the key is being depressed, would cause the interponents 38 to be gripped by the hammer 31 and the retaining member 49. Furthermore, in the absence of the raised rib 47, all of the interponents 38 would be subjected directly to the pressure imparted by springs 36, thus necessitating the operator in depressing a key to overcome this additional resistance. Due to the fact that in response to the operation of different keys, different combinations of interponents will be effective below the punches, the degree of resistance will vary, thus causing the operator to experience a very uneven touch. With the raised rib M and intersecting planes 45 and 66, this resistance is obviated, and the key is permitted to be depressed its full distance regardless at which instant the perforator magnet becomes energized, this complete movement of the key being referred to herein as a follow through.

Pivotally carried at one end of punch hammer.3l is a pawl member 55 which cooperates with ratchet teeth 56 of a spacing roller 57 which is also provided with feed pins 58 adapted to mesh with the feed holes which are invariably perforated in the tape 34. Thus, when the magnet 63 is energized and the hammer 31 is rocked to its clockwise position, pawl 55 is raised to engage a tooth 56 on the spacing roller 51. Then, upon deenergizaiion of magnet 43. s rin 53 actuates the hammer 31 to its counterclockwise position and draws pawl 55 downwardly, which movement causes the spacing roller 57 to be rotated counterclockwise one angular step to effect the spacing of the tape 34 one unit distance. To prevent the tape from tearing out between the feed holes, a spring actuated tape uide 59 is provided which constantly maintains the tape in engagement with a plurality of feed pins 58 (Fig. 2).

To prevent repeated operations of the perforating magnet due to the chattering of the operating contacts therefor, and thus to insure a single operation of the perforating magnet 43 upon each depression of a key lever l4, the present invention provides an anti-chatter means, In addition to the five pairs of permutation bars I6 there is provided an additional pair of bars 66, the bar 28 of which is connected by a link 6| to a contact operating lever 62. Associated with lever .62 is a pair of contacts 63. In the unoperated position of the apparatus, lever 62 is held against an adjustable stop 64 (Fig. 2) by its spring 65, and through its insulated end 66 holds the contacts 63 open. Then, upon operation of a key lever l4, lever 62 is operated in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in Fig. 2) against the action of its spring 65, thus permitting contacts 63 to close under the tension of contact spring 6'1 (Fig. 1). Upon the closing of contacts 63, the energizing circuit for perforating magnet 43 is completed (contact I04 being found closed) causing magnet 43 to operate, whereupon hammer 31 will be rocked to its clockwise position. Carried on hammer 31 in proximity of contacts 63 is an adjustable striker 68 which acts upon a lever 69 which is normally biased in a clockwise direction (against a stop, not shown) by a spring H. Lever 69 is provided contiguous to contact 63 with a cam portion 12. Thus when hammer 31 is operated clockwise, striker 66 acts to rotate levei\69 counterclockwise against the action of its spring H, thereby causing cam portion 12 to urge the pair of contacts 63 to the right (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2), thus further controlling the pair of contacts 63, to maintain them closed in addition to the prior control exercised by insulated end 66 of lever 62. However, the rightward movement imparted to contacts 63 by cam portion l2 must not be so great as to prevent the insulated end 66, when the key lever I4 is released, from again acting on spring 61 to open contacts 63. Consequently, despite a tremulous touch on key lever It to which the lever 62 responds, the control of contacts 63 by lever 62 is' supplemented by lever 69 under control of magnet 43, and to efiect the deenergization of magnet 63, the key lever It must be released to permit spring to actuate lever 62 against stop 66 to allow insulated end 66 of lever 62 to act upon contact spring 61 to effect the opening of contacts 63, and hence the breaking of the energizing circuit for magnet 43.

The contact operating lever return spring 65 is rendered adjustable to vary the key touch required to operate the contact 63 by securing one end of spring 65 to an adjusting screw 10 (Fig. 2).

By means of screw 10 the operator can change the tension of spring 65 and thus vary the pressure required to depress a key lever l4.

When the perforator mechanism, according to the present invention, is employed in combination with a keyboard transmitter, the permutation bars 28 are each provided with a pair of upstanding guide lugs 13 (Fig. 2). Interposed between each pair of lugs 13 is a depending arm of a locking latch 14 pivoted on a common rod 15. In th s manner, locking latches 14 are pivotally articulated to the permutation bar 28 and are adapted to be rocked about pivot rod 15 to either of two positions. Associated with latches T4 are a corresponding series of contact levers F6 for making and breaking individual contacts 11. Contact levers 16 cooperate with individual contact earns 18 mounted on the transmitting shaft 19 provided with a clutch mechanism 8i (Fig. 1) controlledby a trip member 82 connected to a uniin accordance with an equal length letter code, in which each code combination is a permutation of 84, carried on the shaft 19, is permitted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) to lock the latches I4 in their selected positions. The setting of latches I4 determines whether the contact levers I6 shall or shall not be afiected by their associated cams I8'to transmit, through contacts 11, over a signal line, to the receiving station, a predetermined code combination of signaling impulses. The respective notches in the cams I8 are arranged in a helical progression so that upon the rotation of the cam assembly, the contacts 1'! controlled by levers 16 will be operated successively. The appartus herein disclosed is operated marking and spacing conditions, and-is preceded by a start impulse and followed by a stop impulse according to the familiar start-stop system.

When the perforator and transmitter are operated simultaneously under the control of a key lever I4, the present invention provides for synchronizing the operation of the perforating and transmitting devices to insure that the same signal that is transmitted is also invariably perforated in the tape. To achieve this result, two pairs of contacts 85 and 86 are positioned over two adjacent transmitting cams I8. The .con-

. tacts 85 and 86 are mounted on a bracket 8'! and are suitably insulated therefrom. Associated with each pair of contacts 85 and 86 for controlling the operation of the same is a cam follower 88 and 89 respectively. In this manner, cam followers 88 and 89 ride into the depressions of their associated cams 18. The purpose of having two pairs 'of contacts 85 and 86, which are connected in parallel, is to impress a longer operating impulse on the perforating magnet than would otherwise be obtained under the same conditions by a single pair of contacts. The contacts 85 and 86 are normally open and when the transmitting cam distributor is operated, the circuit for the perforator magnet will invariably be closed for the period of substantially two impulse intervals because the contacts controlled by the cam 18 associated with contacts 85, for example, will close in advance of the contacts 86 and do not open until after the contacts 86 have closed, thus providing-an overlap in the sequential opera tion of contacts 85 and 86.

The keyboard mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is similar to that described and shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,965,602 granted to R. A. Lake. With the mechanism shown in the said patent, it is desired in some instances to transmit directly to a line circuit code combinations of impulses representative of the character keys operated, while in other instances it may be more practical first to perforate a tape in accordance with the key operated, and then to transmit subsequently the signal corresponding thereto by subjecting the tape to a tape transmitter. To provide for the several possible conditions of operation of the mechanism, a switch is arranged in the keyboard apparatus to control the transmission of impulses directly to the line circuit, the perforation of a tape only, or the operation of the transmitting distributor and the perforator simultaneously.

To control these various operations, a switch lever or member 92 is provided which is pivoted at 9| adjacent to the transmitting distributor and which assumes three positions; namely, an upper position 93 (Fig. 2), a middle position 94, and a lower position 95, and is held in these representa tive positions through the cooperation with a bracket 96. As shown in Fig. 6 switch member 92 is provided with a bifurcated end which cooperates with a group of contacts 91 (Figs. 1 and 6). The position of the switch member 92 indicated 93isknown as the keyboard position and is a position wherein direct keyboard transmission of signals to the line is effected; that is,

each time a key lever is operated, the transmitting cam drum is rotated a single cycle to transmit a code combination of signals through contacts 11 to the line. In this position of member 92 all the contacts of contact bank 9'|.are opened.

The position of switch member 92, indicated as 94, is known as the tape and keyboard position and is that condition of the apparatus wherein the perforator and transmitting mechanisms are operating simultaneously, In this position the contacts of the contact bank 91 are arranged, as shown in Fig. 6, wherein the lower contact 98 remains closed, and in this position the energizing circuit for the perforating magnets 43 extends from positive battery over conductors 99 and IOI, through contact 98, through contacts 85, 86, associated with the transmitting cams thence over conductor I02 through the windings of perforator magnet 43 to negative battery. From the previous description it is observed that contacts 85 and 86 are closed periodically once for each cyclic rotation of the transmitting cam drum. In this manner the operation of perforator magnets 43 is insured.

The position of the switch member 92, indicated in Fig. 6 as 95, is known as the "tape posi-? tion, and in this position all of the contacts of the contact' bank 91 are closed, but since the transmitting cam drum is not initiated into rotation, the contacts 85-86 will not be closed and no circuit will be completed through, these contacts to the perforator magnet. However, each time a key lever is operated, the universal bar 68 will be actuated, and through link 6| and lever 62 the contact 63 will be closed to complete a circuit from ground through conductors 99 and I63, through contacts 63, contact I04 (now closed), thence over conductor I02 and through the winding of perforator magnet 43 to negative battery. The closure of contact 63 is controlled in the manner previously described by the lever 69 to insure the positive operation of perforator magnet 43.

Modification In Fig. 7 is illustrated an adjustable touch mechanism which is readily accessible to the operator when the keyboard apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a cover or housing. To achieve the desired result an adjusting screw I65 is carried on the end of an arm I86 integral with a bracket I01 mounted on frame 58. Screw I cooperates with the end of arm I68 of a bell crank lever I89 pivoted at III on bracket I81. Distended between depending arm H2 of lever I09 and contact operating lever I I3 (comparable to lever 62) is a contact operating lever return spring I I4 (comparable to spring 65). Spring H4 tends normally to.hold lever H3 against an adjustable stop screw H5 carried on bracket IO'I. Lever H3 is operated under the control of the key levers in a manner similar to lever 62 of the principal embodiment of the invention, to control a pair of punch magnet operating contacts H6. Thus, by means of screw I05, which protrudes through cover or housing N1, the operator can, through bell crank lever I09, change the tension of spring H4 and thereby vary the pressure necessary to depress a key lever l4. I

While the invention has been disclosed and described as applied to a particular type of apparatus; it is, of course, obvious that it is capable of other uses without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is: 1

1. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars in a code signal combination an actuator for actuating said punches, in accordance with the selection of said bars, and means for facilitating, duringthe actuation of said actuator, the reactuation of said bars according to a succeeding code signal.

2. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars according to a code signal, a punch actuator, and actuating means therefor for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of' said bars, said actuator having two salient angled surfaces and a raised rib on one of said surfaces cooperative with said punch bars whereby, during the actuation thereof, the reactuation of said bars according to a succeeding code signal is facilitated.

3. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector .bars, means to select said bars, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator, means associated with said actuator for insuring the operation of said electromagnetic means, and means on said actu- I ator for faciliating, during the operation of said actuator, the reactuation of said bars in preparation for a succeeding operation.

4. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a

corresponding plurality of punch selector bars,

means to select said bars, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator, and means associated with said actuator for insuring the operation of said electromagnetic means, said actuator having two salient angled surfaces and a raised rib on one of said surfaces cooperative with said punch bars whereby, during the operation thereof, the reactuation of said bars according to a succeeding selection is facilitated.

5. In combination with a perforator having a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, and electromagnetic means for operatingsaid actuator, a transmitting mechanism, and cam controlled means associated with said mechanism for insuring the operation of said electromagnetic means.

6. In combination, a perforating mechanism having a plurality of punches and corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, a transmitting mechanism having a plurality of selectable contact devices, 'a permutation selector to control said mechanisms simultan ously, and means effective under the control 0 said contact devices to insure the concurrent operation of the perforating and transmitting mechanisms.

7. In combination, a perforating mechanism having a plurality of punches and a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, a transmitting mechanism having a plurality of contact devices, a permutation selector to control said mechanisms, a switching instrumentality, and means associated with said contact devices and effective under the control of said instrumentality to insure the concurrent operation of the perforating and transmitting mechanisms.

8.. In combination, a perforating mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a permutation selector to control said mechanisms, and means effective under the control of said transmitting mechanism to insure the concurrent operation of the pertransmitting mechanism, a permutation selector to control said mechanisms, a switching instrumentality, and means associated with said transmitting mechanism and effective under the control of said instrumentality to insure the concurrent operation of the perforating and transmitting mechanisms.

10. In a, perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means toselect said bars, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, means for facilitating, during the actuation of said actuator, the reactuation of said bars in preparation for a succeeding operation, and means for insuring the invariable operation of said actuator.

11. In combination with a perforator having a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator, a transmitting mechanism, means associated with said mechanism for initiating the operation of said electromagnetic means, and means for facilitating, during the actuation of said actuator, the reactuation of said bars according to a succeeding operation.

12. In combination, a perforating mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a permutation selector to control said mechanisms, means associated with said transmitting mechanism to insure the concurrent operation of the perforating mechanism, and means for facilitating, during the actuation of said perforating mechanism, the reconditioning of the perforating mechanism under the control of the permutation selector in preparation for a succeeding operation.

13. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars, a punch actuator, and actuating means therefor for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said.- bars, said actuator having a plurality of intersecting plane surfaces and a raised rib on one of said surfaces cooperative with said punch bars whereby, during the actuation thereof, the reactuation of said bars according to a proposed operation is facilitated.

14. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, electromagnetic means for operating said actuator, and means associated with saidactuator for insuring the operation of said.

electromagnetic means, said actuatorhaving a plurality of intersecting plane surfaces and a raised rib on one of said surfaces cooperative with said punch bars whereby, during the actuation thereof, the reactuation of said bars according to a succeeding operation is facilitated.

15. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars, an actuatorhavinga plurality of intersecting plane surfaces and a raised rib cooperative with said punch bars for facilitating, during the actuation thereof, the reactuation of said bars according to a succeeding operation, and means for insuring the invariable operation of said actuator.

16. In a perforator, an electromagnetically controlled punch actuator, a circuit therefor, a contact in said circuit, a primary controlmeans for said contact, and a secondary control means for said contact effective upon operation of saidactuator to supplement the prior control of said primary control means to insure the invariable operation of said actuator.

17. In a keyboard perforator, a series of keys, an electromagnetically controlled punch actu ator, a circuit therefor, a contact in said circuit, means controlled by said keys for operating said contact, and further control means for said contact efiective upon operation of said actuator to supplement the prior control of said means to insure the invariable operation of said actuator.

18. In a perforator, a punch actuator, means to control the operation thereof, a control means for said means to initiate "the operation of said actuator, and a cam means effective upon operation of said actuator to supplement the prior effect of said control means to insure the operation of said actuator.

19. In a perforator, an electromagnetically operated punch actuator, contact means to control the operation thereof, control means for said contact means to initiate the operation of said actuator, and cam means operated by said actuator to supplement the prior effect of said control means to insure the operation of said actuator.

20. In a keyboard perforator, a series of keys, a punch actuator, means to control the operation of said actuator, means controlled by said keys to control said first recited means to initiate the operation of said actuator, and a cam means operated by said actuator to supervene the prior effect of said second recited means to insurethe operation of said actuator.

21. In a keyboard perforator, manual keys, punches, a punch actuator, punch interponents movable in response to manual power applied through said keys, a stripper spring for said punches and said interponents, and a further interponent disposed to engage said stripper spring and to prevent said stripper spring from exerting restrictive pressure upon said manual power interponents whereby a spring load is withheld from said manually movable interponents and manipulation of the keys is facilitated.

22. In a keyboard perforator, manual keys, punches, a punch actuator, punch interponents movable in response to manual power applied through said keys, springs for said punches and said interponents, and means to prevent said springs from exerting restrictive pressure upon said manual power interponents whereby a spring load is withheld from said manually movable interponents and manipulation of the-keys is facilitated.

23. In a keyboard perforator, manual keys, punches, a punch actuator, punch interponents movable in response to manual power applied through said keys, springs for said punches and said interponents, and a further interponent disposed to engage said springs and to prevent said springs from exerting restrictive pressure upon said manual power interponents whereby a spring load is withheld from said manually movable interponents and manipulation of the keys is facilitated.

24. In a perforator, a series of keys, said keys having a predetermined operative movement, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means responsive to the depression of said keys to select said bars according to a code signal, a punch actuator, and actuating means therefor for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, said actuator bar having two salient angled surfaces and a raised rib on one of said surfaces cooperative with said punch bars for facilitating, during the actuation thereof, the completion of movement of the key operated.

25. In a perforator, a series of keys having a predetermined operative movement," a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means responsive to the depression of said keys to select said bars according to a code signal, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, and means for facilitating, during the actuation of said actuator, the completion of movement of the key operated,

26. In a keyboard perforator, a series or keys, a punch actuator, means to control the operation of said actuator, contacts controlled by said keys to control said means to initiate the operation of said actuator, and cam means operated by said actuator to maintain said contacts closed independently of the key operated.

27. In a keyboard perforator, a series of keys,

a punch actuator, means to control the operation of said actuator, means controlled by said keys to control said first recited means to initiate the operation of said actuator, and cam means operated by said actuator to maintain said second recited means operative independently of the key operated. 28. In a perforator, a series of keys having a predetermined operative movement, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch interponents, means responsive to the depression of said keys to select said interponents according to. a code signal, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, and means for facilitating, during the actuation of said actuator, the completion of movement of the key operated.

29. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars in a code signal combination, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, and means for abating the operative effect of said actuator on said bars to facilitate, during the actuation of said actuator, the reactuation of said bars according to a succeeding code signal.

30. In a perforator, a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch interponents, means to select said interponents in a code signal combination, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, and means for abating the operative efiect of said actuator on said interponents to facilitate, during the actuation of said actuator, the reactuation of said interponents according to a succeeding code signal.

31. In combination with a perforator having a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars,

an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, and electromagnetic means for operating said actuator, a transmitting mechanism, and cam controlled means associated with said mechanism for synchronizing the operation of said electromagnetic means with said transmitting mechanism.

32. In combination, a perforating mechanism having a plurality of punches and a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, a transmitting mechanism having a plurality of selectable contact devices, a permutation selector to control said mechanism simultaneously, and means effective under the control of said contact devices to synchronize the operations of the perforating and transmitting mechanisms.

33. In combination, a perforating mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a permutation selector to control said mechanisms, and means eflective under the control of said transmitting mechanism to synchronize the operations of the perforating and transmitting mechanisms.

34. In combination, a perforating mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, a permutation selector to control sald mechanisms, a switching instrumentality, and means associated with said transmitting mechanism and effective under the control of said instrumentality to synchronize the operation of the perforating and transmitting mechanisms.

35. In combination with a perforator having a plurality of punches, a corresponding plurality of punch selector bars, means to select said bars, an actuator for actuating said punches in accordance with the selection of said bars, and means for operating said actuat0r,a transmiting mechanism, and cam controlled means associated with said mechanism for insuring the operation of said actuator operating means.

CHARLES W. BURCKY. 

